The Stars have talked to former Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff about their open coaching position, according to an NHL source.

New Stars general manager Jim Nill, who is in Toronto this week for the NHL draft combine, had a talk with Ruff in Ontario, according to the source. The two could have more serious discussions as the coach search progresses, but the Stars are expected to take their time in going through the interview process.

Ruff, 53, was fired in February after coaching 1,165 games with the Sabres. He had been the Sabres’ head coach since 1997 and had a 571-432-162 record for a .559 winning percentage. He took the Sabres to the Eastern Conference finals four times and is most remembered by Stars fans for coaching Buffalo to the 1999 Stanley Cup finals before losing to Dallas in six games.